Stinging Insects

PAPER WASP

Paper Wasps

Paper wasps build nests out of a paper like material. This paper like material is how they get the name paper wasp. Paper wasps eat nectar and other insects. Paper wasps are not typically aggressive by nature, but they will sting if they are disturbed or the their nest is threatened.

PAPER WASPS POLISTES SPP

Pest Stats

Color:
Brownish with yellow markings; a few species with reddish markingsLegs
6Shape
Wasp-like, with long legsSize:
5/8 – 3/4” (16-20 mm)Flight:
YesAntennae:
YesRegion:
Found throughout U.S.States:
All 50

MUD DAUBER

Mud Dauber

Mud daubers are not typically dangerous and are solitary wasps. The nests of a mud dauber can become abandoned and other more dangerous wasps will take up residence. Mud daubers get their name from the mud they build their nests from. The nests are usually about an 1″ long and typically built in a sheltered area. Mud daubers, unlike paper wasps do not defend the nest and the stings are rare.

OPEN PIPE MUD DAUBERS TRYPOXYLON POLITUM

Pest Stats

Color:
Usually black, may have pale markings or a metallic lusterLegs
6Shape
Long and slender with a thread-like waistSize:
1/2 – 1+” (12-25+ mm)Flight:
YesAntennae:
YesRegion:
Found throughout U.S.States:
All 50

HORNETS

Hornet

The bald-faced hornet is actually related to the yellow jacket. It has a largely black body and mostly white face. Bald-faced hornets may live in colonies containing 100-400 members. The nests can be as large as 14 inches to 24 inches in length. The bald-faced hornet will attack and are aggressive. The bald-faced hornet can sting over and over. The sting is painful and carries venom.

BALD-FACED HORNETS DOLICHOVESPULA MACULATA

Pest Stats

Color:
Black with a white pattern on most of the faceLegs
6Shape
Long, wasp-likeSize:
1/2 – 5/8” (12-15mm); queen 3/4” (18-20mm)Flight:
YesAntennae:
YesRegion:
Found throughout U.S.States:
All 50

BUMBLE BEE

Bumble Bee

Bumblebees are a beneficial insect, they pollinate crops and plants. If they are threatened, they will sting and will defend the nest aggressively. They often build the nest in the ground, but they will build the nest above ground as well. A bumblebee will chase invaders and the sting is very painful. Bumblebees can sting more than once.

BUMBLE BEES SUBFAMILY BOMBINAE; BOMBUS SPECIES

Pest Stats

CARPENTER BEE

Carpenter Bee

Carpenter bees look like bumblebees except for the lack of yellow stripes. Carpenter bees get the name from boring into wood. They prefer bare wood but will attack stained or painted wood. Carpenter bees are solitary insects. Females will bore holes through wood to lay eggs. Adults will hibernate in the winter and emerge in the spring to feed on nectar. Carpenter bees can cause structural damage if left untreated. Males can be territorial, but do not have a stinger. Females have a stinger and is potent, but rarely used.

CARPENTER BEES XYLOCOPA SPECIES

Pest Stats

EUROPEAN HORNET

European Hornet

European hornets are much larger than the yellow jacket. It is also called giant hornet and gets the name European hornet due to being introduced into New York from Europe in the 1800’s. They are social and live in colonies that can contain between 200-400 members. They prey on a variety of insects. They are attracted to light and are known to band on lighted windows at night. European hornets can cause damage to trees and shrubs due to the fact they strip the bark to get to the sap and to use the bark fiber to build nests. They nest in hollow walls, barns, hollow trees, attics and abandoned beehives. European hornets can sting over and over. They also carry a venom that makes the sting very painful.

EUROPEAN HORNET VESPA CRABRO LINNAEUS

Pest Stats

Color:
Brown with yellow abdominal stripes and pale faceLegs
6Shape
Long, robust, wasp-likeSize:
3/4 – 11/2” (18-38 mm)Flight:
YesAntennae:
YesRegion:
Found in 31 states, from the eastern seaboard west to the Eastern Dakotas and south through Iowa and Illinois to New OrleansStates:
AL,CT,DE,DC,FL,GA,IL,IN,KY,ME,MD,MA,MI,MS,NH,NJ,NY,NC,ND,OH,PA,RI,SC,SD,TN,VT,VA,WV,WI

YELLOW JACKET

Yellow Jacket

Yellow jackets are typically yellow and black. There are actually several species of yellow jackets. They are social and can contain colonies of 4,000 workers. Yellow jackets feed on sweets and can be a problem when having outside events. They build nests out of chewed up cellulose and are found in the ground or attics and eaves. The yellow jacket can sting over and over. The sting is painful and they are territorial.

YELLOWJACKETS VESPULA SPP

Pest Stats

Color:
Abdomen usually black and yellow pattered similar to bandsLegs
6Shape
Wasp-likeSize:
Workers 3/8 to 5/8 of an inch longFlight:
YesAntennae:
YesRegion:
Found throughout U.S.States:
All 50